Back!

Finally I have a new computer, it hasn't been without its problems.. but I'm back - and way more efficient! As promised.. an artwork a day.. Except, I must confess it hasn't happened for me today - my computer arrived, and there was SO much to setup, re-install etc etc. But here is my progess so far.. I am working on a series of birds representing a common emotion, mood, feeling or a quality that we can probably all identify with at some stage. There will be 12-15 in the series, so watch this space! The bottom painting in this post isn't part of the series, it was inspired by all the love in the air leading up to Valentine's Day!

An Update.. and a Committment

Two things - the first, I have been having so many issues lately. The main was my computer crashing, for days I had no idea whether my hard drive was going to be ok, but today I found out that it is.. and quickly retrieved all of my artwork files. Pheeeew! I have ordered a new computer, and can't wait for it to arrive.

The second thing is.. well, I'm writing this small and hoping to be a little bit inconspicuous.. because, I think I'm scared of what it might mean! I know once I write it here I am committed, not just to myself but to you! While I have been without a computer, I have realised just what I am capable of achieving in a day if I am shut in my studio with no distractions. I realise I need a much better balance - less research/marketing, MUCH more painting. So before my new computer arrives I am committing myself to producing 1 (one) artwork a day. I know it doesn't sound like much, but its quite a committment. Here are the conditions:

Everyday I will complete an artwork, to a selling standard. It can be digital artwork, or a painting, illustration etc. It can be any size. Some days I'm unable to update my blog, and I generally don't write (and try not to work) on weekends. The only conditions I can break this committment on are sickness, holidays, or if I go back to full time work. (I have been job searching.)

So watch this space!

Busy, busy, busy

I have been so busy lately, finally have some prints done and for sale! I have my eye on a very fancy A3 printer.. will have to see how the A4 prints go first though.

What The?

Here is one of my latest creations.. I am looking into getting prints done, I don't have a fancy printer here. I think they'd look so cute all framed up!

Felt Ornaments

I started making these little felt ornaments to pass the hours spent at my Grandma's bedside in hospital last week. The collection has since grown, and I had fun hanging them on my tree today. My fingers are sore from stitching, and I think I'll have to return to my paintbrush to give them a break!

Forest Wanderings

Click on either of these pictures to visit a shop full of delightful creatures and creations dreamt up during the long forest wanderings of MarmeeCraft!

Dreams of Cakes, Books, Art and Coffee

Aren't these adorable? They are by a good friend of mine, Chloe Simpson. We went to school together, spent many days in the art room, often alone in our own little world - mostly dreaming and discussing where we would end up. We are still dreaming. Dreams of opening a cute little shop together, with our artwork hanging from the walls, unique homewares and decorations surrounding us, a cafe section with delicious homemade cakes, coffee and wonderful inspiring books to read, complete with a little kitchen and studio out the back. Chloe is a huge inspiration to me, I love her work - and it is much easier to create when you have somebody beside you creating. Keep it up Clo, one day our dream might come true!

Thankyou!

We are interstate for the weekend and I don't have Photoshop at my fingertips for a few days, so please forgive me for the lack of pretty images. I am feeling excited and encouraged today - for the extra interest I'm having in my blog and also, I am excited because I have made my first international sale! Two lucky little birds (Gathering Supplies) are off to live in Barcelona. I was a little bit sad packing them up as they were my personal favourite, but I've since had many new ideas pop into my head. Gathering supplies was two little birds gathering everything they needed to build a nest. I think my next painting will be the nest that they built. and then maybe the eggs.. and then the babies! It will be such a cute series of paintings, can't wait to start them! I'm just going to say thankyou tonight, if you are reading this thanks for your support and encouragement, your interest and comments really inspire me!

Felt Decorations

You might remember a while ago I made a 'tree'. It was just a branch we found.. painted white, potted and decorated. It's time to remove the christmas decorations and I've been looking at replacement decorations so the tree can still be useful. Valentines Day is not much more than a month away, and at the moment I am 'hearting' little felt creations. Here are my finds! Make sure you check out the links, there are some amazing shops! (Please excuse the random sizes, fonts etc of the links.. blogger is not working for me today).

1. The Key to my Heart Valentine Owl by The Cupcake Girls

2. Pink and Blue Felt Heart by Fioretta

3. Paper-and-string’s photostream on Flickr - (Paper-and-string also has a shop on etsy)

4. Tweet Pair of Love Birds by Feltmeupdesigns

5. LOVE Bird Holding a Heart and a cute Airmail Pouch by gifts define

6. 3 Little Heart Ornaments by lupin

7. Sweetheart Owls by Skunkboy Creatures

8. LoveBird Pincushion by Feltmates

Introducing.. Winter Woolies!

You might remember a while ago I wrote about a trip we made to Orange in November. It snowed - which is very unusual for that time of year. It was beautiful (and cold).. but I couldn't help but notice all of the birds huddled together trying to keep warm.. just an hour before I had raced into a shop for a jumper.. I remember wishing that the little birds could do the same!

Here is the painting inspired by that experience! :)

Birds, birds, birds..

I am realising that I have quite an obsession with birds.. but aren't these ones just so cute!! They are handmade with clay.. If you click on any of the littls pics you can find them on Etsy.

A little peep..

Reflecting on 2008

~Slept under the stars~

~Dressed up as a pirate sea maiden~

~Learnt to cook without recipes~

~Skydived~

~Rock Climbed ~

~Rollerbladed in the dark ~

~Played in a band~

~Planned a wedding~

~Got married~
~Went on a Honeymoon~
~Visited Fiji~

~Whitewater Kayaking~
~Got flowers for no reason~
~Turned 21~

~Cut out pieces for a quilt~
~Had picture in newspaper~
~Had a pillow fight~
~Stayed in a treehouse~

~Caught a bouquet~
~Gone Fishing~
~Learnt to play golf~
~Opened 2 online shops of my artwork~
~Snapped some cute pics~

~Quit a job~
~Spent a whole day reading ~
~ Played chess at least once a day for a week~
~Raced in a Dragonboat Regatta~

~Dressed up in fluro~
~Wrote a poem~
~Attended three funerals, and three weddings~
~Shared a magic moment under a rainbow~

~Watched a sunrise, and enjoyed a cooked breakfast from the top of Mt Beerwah~
~Sewed a bag and some cushions~
~In a combined effort with mum, designed and made my own wedding cake!~

~Moved interstate~
~Shoveled coal competitively~
~Seen it snow in Spring~
~Been on a 4000km roadtrip~

~Climbed a mountain~

~Gone on a picnic with my mum and dad~
~Learnt the phonetic alaphabet~
~Been 4wding on the sand dunes~
~Started my own blog~

~Watched and photographed many gorgeous sunsets~

~Made the best banana cake~
~Made new friends~
~Settled in to being a wife~